Paddy Power and Betfair set to merge

[thebookiesoffers]

Seems everyone is at it these days, starting to get a bit worrying http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34060117

[golfbettingsystem]

Just seen it, things are moving extremely quickly in the sector at the moment - more to come I expect as things consolidate.

[Miles_FTA]

Is Bigger really Better ? Why would a Merger of this nature be worrying ?

Seems like this is a good Match to me ?

[baldidiot]

Really didn't see that coming... Any comment from betfair reps on gpwa about how it would work?

[TheGooner]

Paddy Power have been dropping share (based on my stats anyway) - and Betfair never had a good affiliate revenue model.
Any change that shakes up these two groups and re-invigorates them has got to be good.

[Mattbar]

Like most industries they start out with loads of entities and you end up with a big five or six brands. Think of banks, energy companies, supermarkets and high street bookmakers. Online betting will end up the same.

[thebookiesoffers]

Is Bigger really Better ? Why would a Merger of this nature be worrying ?

Seems like this is a good Match to me ?

not a good if we lose players through it

[BetterNick]

Isn't it still the case that totesport and Betfred are run as separate brands and affilate programs despite merging 4/5 years ago?

[golfbettingsystem]

Isn't it still the case that totesport and Betfred are run as separate brands and affilate programs despite merging 4/5 years ago?

Yep, although though have evidently combined some back-end activities to reduce costs - they both show identical odds for instance. Affiliate programs have remained separate though so affiliates haven't lost out thankfully.

[Miles_FTA]

The Hope here is that 2 "Upstanding" Companies like these do the Merge correctly and that affiliates are not effected by this and you do see all your players move accordingly ..

[thebookiesoffers]

The Hope here is that 2 "Upstanding" Companies like these do the Merge correctly and that affiliates are not effected by this and you do see all your players move accordingly ..

didn't happen when betfair bought out blue square

[blackriver]

Oh, another M&A ? More to come as industry is maturing.

[BetterNick]

Yep, although though have evidently combined some back-end activities to reduce costs - they both show identical odds for instance. Affiliate programs have remained separate though so affiliates haven't lost out thankfully.

I often wonder why oddschecker bother listing both of them! I'd be surprised if BF & PP do the same thing but I suppose that then rules out combining the trading side. It's interesting to see how it works as they're very different brands (in the context of sports betting)

[golfbettingsystem]

It's interesting to see how it works as they're very different brands (in the context of sports betting)

Very different indeed, difficult to see how they could, or indeed would want to, combine their marketing for instance as the approaches are so different. Will watch with interest how this one pans out...

[hotfreebingo]

It's going to be interesting to see if they do attempt to merge these two different brand identities.

[Miles_FTA]

It seems that these Mass Merges are the way the Industry is going with the 888 One being finalized etc I think its good for players and affiliates as you know that they wont be shutting the doors anytime soon